The 49ers have denied the Buccaneers and their first-year coach, Greg Schiano, permission to interview secondary coach Ed Donatell for their defensive coordinator opening, the NFL Network reported.

Donatell, 54, has been a defensive coordinator with the Packers (2000-03) and the Falcons (2004-06). He also served in that role at the University of Washington in 2008. He was the secondary coach with the Broncos (2009-10) before joining Jim Harbaugh's staff last year.

At his season-ending news conference, Harbaugh said he wanted to keep his coaching staff intact. So far, he's succeeded, with one exception: Offensive assistant Bobby Engram left to become the wide receivers coach at the University of Pittsburgh.

The St. Louis Rams, meanwhile, hired former Falcons director of player personnel Les Snead as their general manager, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Niners director of player personnel Tom Gamble had been a candidate.

- Eric Branch

Ward wants to stay: Wide receiver Hines Ward, 35, wants to retire with the Steelers and said he's willing to rework his contract. NFL.com had reported that the Steelers are planning to cut the franchise's all-time leading receiver.